Under The Clear Summer Sky

15 | neighbors again

It was a happy surprise for Anu to find not only Vineet again but little Shrest as well. Except, he wasn't so little anymore. 

He had shed all his baby fat and grown leaner, muscular. He looked like a unruly, mischievous version of his brother. Shrest didn't seem surprised to see her. His enigmatic words when she pulled him aside after class were, "It was time you got here anyways." He even muttered something along the lines of 'moping brother' but Anu couldn't catch that.

Sana, who he said was his 'rival' 8 years back, had become his good friend over the years, Anu guessed. They were both classmates and seatmates. When she enquired about Sana, he mumbled, "She's as annoying as ever".

Anu guessed that the two got along well.

The new addition to the duo was a boy named Vihan. He was a bright, even-tempered guy who seemed to love dressing up like a delinquent. His personality was a complete contrast to how he looked.

All the developments seemed very entertaining to Anu, after the surprise had worn off. Her year in this school as a teacher was going to be a roller coaster ride, she was sure of that.

She was going to stay as a teacher. That wasn't her plan. She wanted to write novels. But for the sake of full time income, she had decided to join in as a teacher, following Maya's request on her aunt's behalf. If she ended up liking teaching and wanted to continue it, she would. She'd just go with the flow of it.

The entire day, she hadn't caught sight of Vineet, much to her disappointment. What she had learnt is Vineet wasn't very different from the Vineet she had known back in the day. He was still as lonely as ever. 

The only change she noticed was his brother's reaction to Vineet. When she had enquired about Vineet, Shrest didn't seem to want to talk about him. This was a huge contrast to the Shrest she had known who would beam at the mention of his brother.

Contemplating all these revelations, she made her way back home. As the elevator doors opened, she stepped out, pulling out the sweet box she had bought on the way. She opened the door to her apartment, hastily placed her bag on the table and quickly grabbed a tiny pepper spray bottle. She stuck the pepper spray bottle in her purse and made her way to the 1102 apartment.

She rang the doorbell.

Tapping her foot, she waited for the door to open.

Behind her, the elevator's door opened. A tired man stepped out, holding on to his bag and coat, trying to pull the keys out of his pocket, while not dropping anything.

He froze as he saw her.

She froze as she turned around.

"Vineet?"

"Anu?"

A pause.

The two of them burst out laughing.

"You're the one living here?" Vineet asked, moving closer. All of a sudden, his exhaustion seemed to disappear.

The long-haired brunette nodded. 

"Does Nina aunty and your family also live here?" She asked, a little surprised. Vineet shook his head. 

"It's just me."

They entered his house. She waited until he placed his bag and coat on the sofa to hand him the sweet box. He took it with a smile and disappeared into the kitchen.

The house's interiors was very different. It was very minimalistic, with barely any decorations.

"How long have you been living here?" She asked.

It was weird how she felt at ease, almost immediately. Vineet always had that effect on her. 

Vineet emerged, holding a chocolate box. "This is for you. I've been living here around 4 years."

Anu's eyes snapped to his. "Four years?" She held on to the chocolate box. "You've been living here 4 years?"

Vineet nodded, pulling back the sleeves of his shirt. 

She stared down quietly at the box. She wanted to know all about the 8 years of his life in which she hadn't been there. But she wasn't sure if it was alright for her to ask. In the end, she decided to drop it.

Vineet watched her. "How have you been?"

The question was posed so gently, so filled with emotion that Anu had to pause for a minute. 

"I've been doing well. How are you?" She replied softly.

"I'm the same as usual."

A pause.

"Does Nina aunty also live in Pulan?"

"Yeah, they live in Anna street. Not so far away from here."

"I see."

Another pause.

Vineet smiled, "I hope you can be more comfortable with me. We're neighbors and colleagues. Moreover-"

He plopped down opposite her, "I don't have a lot of friends. It would be nice if you can be my friend."

Anu stared at him. A sense of deja vu hit her.

"Again."

Anu burst out laughing at that. Vineet feigned a hurt expression. "You're laughing at how miserable my social situation is, Anu? Is that really how it is now?"

Anu laughed harder. Once she had calmed down, she looked at him. "You never have to ask for me to be your friend. That will happen regardless."

That night, Vineet pulled out a shoebox. It was filled with paper planes he hadn't given her and paper planes he had written over the 8 years.

He pulled out an origami paper and made another paper plane. He wrote his goal on it.

✿

word count: 912 words